Grand Prix de Wallonie

203km/126mi

By Philippe Maertens

Still making his mark on the 2011 cycling season, number one ranked rider Philippe Gilbert took another victory, this time in the Grand Prix de Wallonie by jumping away on the final climb of Namur Citadel. Second place went to Julien Simon (Saur-Sojasun) and third to Bjorn Leukemans of Vacansoleil-DCM.  For Team RadioShack the best-placed rider was Michal Kwiatkowki for sixth, with teammates Ivan Rovny and Yaroslav Popovych active throughout the stage. 

At 22k from the finish, there came an end to a long breakaway of 11 riders that included Popovych. It was by a strong attack of Ivan Rovny on the Côte de Lustin that the peloton separated into different parts.  Rovny’s group caught the early break and a new break of 12 riders formed.  Rovny, Steve Morabito (BMC), Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Steve Chainel (FDJ), Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil-DCM), Dirk Bellemakers (Landbouwkrediet), Stefan Denifl (Team Leopard-Trek), Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2R), Manuele Boaro (Saxo Bank) and three guys from the early break, David Boucher (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Stijn Vandenbergh (Katusha) and Sander Armée (Topsport Vlaanderen). At 14k from the base of Namur, Rovny attacked again on the next to last climb, the Tienne aux Pierres. He could not stay away and the peloton started chasing down the 45 seconds gap. Then Philippe Gilbert teammates did the job: Jele Vanendert, Olivier Kaisen and David Boucher who dropped from the front group.

At 4.5k from finish everything was all together.  At the bottom of the finish climb, the Citadelle de Namur (2K, 5.2%),  Edwig Cammaerts (Landbouwkrediet) attacked furiously in his hometown of Namur and  immediately took ten seconds. Only under the1K banner – while Gilbert attacked, he was caught. Bjorn Leukemans tried to follow Gilbert who attacked again and took his 2nd victory on the Citadel and his 24th victory of the season.

Ivan Rovny commented on the race strategy of Team RadioShack, saying, “We knew it was useless to wait until the Citadel climb to do something because Gilbert was here. That’s why I tried when I did and I felt good, so…”

Team Director Dirk Demol added, “I think our team did a very good race. I asked the riders to be active and they were. I cannot complain. Michal Kwiatkowski was also in the group of Gilbert and he ended up sixth.  Not bad as you see how far back he started the last climb. That was just a beginner’s mistake, lack of knowledge of the course.”

Michal chased winner Gilbert to take sixth place

Racing for The Shack continues on Friday at Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen / Koolskamp.  The riders are: Fumy Beppu, Sam Bewley, Dmitriy Muravyev, Yaroslav Popovych, Robbie McEwen, Gregy Rast, Bjorn Selander and Evgeny Shalunov and they will be directed by Dirk Demol.

Top Ten Results

 1             Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto   5:00:08  

2              Julien Simon (Fra) Saur - Sojasun    0:00:02  

3              Bjorn Leukemans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team                            

4              Bert De Waele (Bel) Landbouwkrediet                    

5              Davy Commeyne (Bel) Landbouwkrediet                               

6              Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team RadioShack                          

7              Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team                            

8              Guillaume Levarlet (Fra) Saur - Sojasun                  

9              Stefan Denifl (Aut) Leopard Trek                               

10            Maxime Vantomme (Bel) Katusha Team

Team RadioShack Results

49           Ivan Rovny (Rus) 0:00:14

96           Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) 0:02:12      

97           Jesse Sergent (NZl)

DNF        Sam Bewley (NZl)

DNF        Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)                                

DNF        Georges Bennett (NZl)

DNF        Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz)